Library considered for Whistler Canada Olympic House

Whistler's public library could likely see a temporary transformation when the Olympics roll into town next February.

An official with the Canadian Olympic Committee confirmed this week that the library is one of the locations they are considering for the Whistler Canada Olympic House.

"There have been several venues in the running, but we have narrowed it down, and it is just a matter of ironing out the details," said Isabelle Hodge, media relations officer with the Canadian Olympic Committee. "We'll make that announcement shortly."

A spokesperson from the Resort Municipality of Whistler also said nothing is finalized for the Whistler Canada Olympic House.

Many nations have "houses" during Olympic Games to showcase their culture and provide a meeting spot for athletes and guests. The Austrians, Germans and Swiss have already publicized their plans for national houses within Whistler next year. And the Canadian Olympic Committee announced in May it would have Canadian Houses in both Vancouver and Whistler.

The Vancouver Canada Olympic House will be located on the sixth floor of the Hudson's Bay Company's flagship store in downtown Vancouver and will host athlete medal receptions and showcase a lounge space with a TV. The house is not open to the general public.

The provincial government co-hosted B.C.-Canada Houses at both the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino.

According to Finance Minister Colin Hansen, the B.C.-Canada house in Torino was so popular that over 100,000 visitors came to the house over the two-month period and lines to get inside were sometimes up to three blocks long.